Early
Years
The
Nottingham Hockey Club as we know it was formed in 1919 through the
amalgamation of Notts Hockey Club (founded in mid / late 1800s) and
Notts Grosvenor. Heavy losses in the Great War had caused major membership
problems for both sides, hence the merger.
Key
early members were A Ashwell, L Halford, V Trivett, A Kirkaldy and H
Holliwell, with Halford and Holliwell playing for the Midlands and Kirkaldy
winning his first International cap in 1924, and later captaining England.
In 1925, Nottingham toured Holland just as they were taking up the game
and strong ties have existed ever since.
The
30s and the War
By
1933, the club was running two teams on the riverside pitch at Trent
Bridge until the County Council inconveniently built their offices on
it. So it was off to Goosedale in 1937 when two former members bought
17 acres; the ground was subsequently gifted to the hockey and cricket
club by its eventual owner WHL Holliwell, whose generosity helped the
club's development in later years.
The
club hibernated during the war. EV Jackson then took a leading role
reviving the club that grew in numbers and quality through the 50s and
60s; more pitches were developed to accommodate the increased number
of teams.
The
Glory Years
Whilst
the club won numerous local county and midlands championships, the most
momentous events happened in the mid-70s when Nottingham became the
first team outside London to win the National Club Championship (equivalent
of today's HA Cup), beating Hounslow in the 1976 final. In the subsequent
1977 European Championships, we finished a creditable sixth.
Other
notable events at this time were a Midlands Division 1 title in 1982,
and Robert Clift going on to win a gold medal in Seoul in 1988 (and
captaining England and Great Britain). Humphrey Stokes had picked up
a reputation for providing excellent grass pitches to cope with the
six regular sides, and the newly refurbished clubhouse was gaining a
reputation for fine hospitality. International festivals were held every
five years in the 70s and 80s, and touring sides went to Eindhoven and
Bournemouth.
The
1990s
Just
how slim the dividing line between success and failure can be was shown
when a couple of star players left the club, with the result that the
first XI slipped out of the Midlands Premier. Rebuilding came under
captains Mark Smith, Richard Hurbage and Nick Parr, whose enthusiasm
attracted new stars and a return to the top division in 1993/94. Youth
coaching was introduced again, Sherwood Ladies joined Goosedale in 1989,
a merger with Notts Gregory in 1997, but the major change in the 90s
was the new astro pitch…
This
involved digging up a cricket pitch and a lot of hard work by Iain Dodson
and John Starling amongst many others. This was partly financed by club
fund-raising, but the largest part came from the Sports & Arts Foundation
and the continuing generosity of the Samworth family. The new pitch
was opened by Nottingham's greatest recent star, gold medallist Robert
Clift, on 17th January 1993. Final development has been the refurbished
clubhouse in 1995.
The
New Glory Years
The
20th century finished on a high for Nottingham Hockey Club; after being
so close to the national league play-offs for a number of seasons, the
Midland's Championship was finally won in 1999/2000 under captain Guy
Gisbourne and manager Jan Ahmed. Victory in the play-offs gave many
Nottingham players their first taste of national league hockey, and
one they took to rather well finishing fourth in their first season.
With the seconds, thirds and fourths all in high leagues, the goal to
emulate the 1970s success is eminently achievable…
